From Business Day Live

In his first state visit to South Africa, Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan talked Tuesday with South  African President Jacob Zuma about economic co-operation and the need for an enhanced military capacity for the African Union.

Zuma made a plea for a stronger military capacity for the AU, considering the instability in places such as the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Mali.

In March Seleka rebels in the Central African Republic killed 14 South African soldiers while advancing on the capital Bangui to depose then President Francois Bozize.

Speaking after talks with Jonathan at Tuynhuys, Zuma said as the AU celebrated its golden jubilee this year, “it is crucial to build a stronger and well-resourced African Union to take forward the promotion of peace, security and the socioeconomic advancement of the continent”.

“Part of the capacity needed by the AU is the establishment of the African Standby Force for rapid deployment in crisis areas without delays.”

Read the rest at Business Day Live